Town of Somerset
Montgomery County. They each built houses for themselves and then divided the remaining property into lots. In 1906, they successfully secured a charter to formally incorporate the town of Somerset. Over 400 homes have been built there. The Lipscomb/Will property was constructed in the Queen Anne style in 1906. It remains my most challenging project.
The property had been abandoned for decades. The roof had failed, trees grew through the porch, and many of the windows were broken or missing. Plaster had fallen off much of the lath; vandalism and a small fire had left its mark. Seeing the structure was difficult; the one-acre property had been fenced off and allowed to grow unabated. Clearing the trees and brush from the structure was the first step to assessing the damage. While water and neglect had taken their toll, many of the period details were intact and salvageable.
The plans called for a significant expansion of the original footprint. The existing 1,500-square-foot structure would be preserved and would serve as the face of the new 4,500-square-foot home. Careful attention to construction details and materials would be necessary for blending the period home with its new “addition,” as well as meet the historic covenants associated with the neighborhood.
Through research, we were able to find the original quarry used for the foundation stones. We were able to save much of the original beaded shiplap siding made from old growth pine that is full of sap that prevents rot and insect damage. We worked with a local lumber supplier to create matching siding for the addition. New windows were custom-built to match the original mullion and glass pattern. The preservation and construction lasted nearly two years. The finished home blends Victorian charm with a modern living layout.
The Detail
While doing demolition on the second floor, we came across a small bedroom closet. The door was clearly not original. Upon closer inspection, we noticed the door frame was originally designed as a triple-hung window—allowing the entire sash system to be lifted to create a door. We discovered the missing sashes in the basement. Through some research and old photos, we determined the linen closet was originally a small porch, now a boarded up bump-out on the east facade of the home. We met with the owners and decided to restore the porch to the original structure.
We began by removing the exterior siding and exposing what was left of the Victorian details. There were enough details remaining for us to recreate the original porch. The original sashes were restored using vintage glass. We reconstructed the frame, pulleys, and weight system to operate as they were originally designed.
